“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”. Many high school drama students may be familiar with Shakespeare's famous lines from his play, As You Like It, but few ever get the chance to experience them literally by travelling and performing in another country.

Once in a lifetime opportunity

This August, grades 10, 11 and 12 students from Calgary's Lord Beaverbrook High School get a once in a life opportunity to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, to perform at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival -- the largest arts festival in the world, with over 2,200 different shows performed in 2009. Invited by the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) to perform as part of their program at the festival, Lord Beaverbrook sees this opportunity as especially exciting because they are the first Canadian high school to have been asked to participate.

“My students feel so honoured to have been chosen to participate in this trip-of-a-lifetime,” said Karen Towsley, of Lord Beaverbrook's Fine & Performing Arts department. “They get to experience what most students only get to hear about in Drama class. They get to perform a Canadian play that has only just been released…for the global community!”

First amateur group to perform Margaret Atwood play

The students will be performing Margret Atwood's play The Penelopiad, which re-examines classic Greek mythology from a female perspective. This lucky troop is the first amateur group to receive permission from Atwood to perform the piece that Towsley describes as having both comedic and tragic elements. She chose the show because it features an ensemble cast which allowed more stage time for each student.

Twenty-seven students are involved with the production and have each displayed tremendous dedication to the project. “Each and every student has attended each and every after school, three-hour rehearsal…sometimes sick and often tired…but always dedicated to excellence,” commented Towsley.

Excursions to historical and cultural sites

The students' trip begins in London where they will explore historical sites, attend a West-end theatre production and take part in a one-day workshop and tour at the Globe Theatre. Then the 10 days in Scotland includes visits to historical and cultural attractions and attending other Fringe Festival performances; culminating in their own show in AHSTF's professional theatre space.

More money needed to embark on a trip of this caliber

As one can imagine, there is a cost to embark on a trip of this caliber. Total cost per student: $6,000, which includes travel, accommodation, food and administrative expenses. The parent council and families have been able to raise @ $4,000 each (through fundraisers, students working extra jobs), but they need more support for the balance…or $64,000 to help pay for the performance production (venue, technology/safety equipment, etc) and the cultural education (tours, workshop, theatre tickets, etc.).

“The Penelopiad is an absolutely awe inspiring, masterful play that everyone who is able to should witness. I lack the range of superlatives to do it justice… It is one of a kind and will do our school exceptionally proud in Edinburgh this summer.” –audience member at pre-performance in May

These students have the change of a lifetime to enhance their craft, become global citizens, build confidence and self esteem, and enhance their resume.

You can help them Take it to The Fringe

“I can't wait to learn and experience the skills needed to put on a show outside of our own theatre…and then to share it with the world! I can't wait for people to see this amazing show,” said Dylan Shaw, Sound Operator and Theatre Tech student. “I just know that I'm going to learn so much from the people I'm around in Edinburgh…both by seeing new cultures and by doing!”

Our students need your support

Help our Lord Beaverbrook High School students share their dramatic gifts with the global community and proudly bring those experiences right back home to share with our Calgary community and future students.

Here's how your donation can help!

• $50   – allows for one student to share his/her trip journal with peers
• $100 – enables one student to attend the workshop at The Globe Theatre
• $250 – provides a costume for one student actor
• $500 – is the production cost per performance per student
  
  ....but any amount will help.